Kathmandu,  A case has been registered against CPN-UML leader Ain Mahar under cybercrime charges, even as he filed a counter-complaint against the woman who accused him.

On Monday, the District Government Attorney’s Office filed the case at the Kathmandu District Court under Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act 2006. According to the office, Mahar is accused of character assassination of a woman through social media. The woman claimed that Mahar verbally abused her via live videos, messages, and posts.

Mahar had appeared before police on Bhadra 11 (August 27) and given a statement at the Government Attorney’s Office the same day. He was released on recognizance, which drew heavy criticism, with many alleging he was freed due to political influence. Social media users widely accused the government of protecting Mahar, who is also a UML leader. When he reappears in court, a detention hearing will decide whether he will be kept in custody, released on bail, or allowed to remain free on recognizance.

 Mahar has also filed a counter-complaint against the same woman under the same law. The Government Attorney’s Office said her statement was also recorded on Bhadra 11, and she too was released on recognizance.

Earlier, on Baisakh 25, 2081 (May 7, 2024), Mahar had accused the woman of demanding Rs 10 million from him and filed a complaint of criminal extortion. Based on that, police had obtained an arrest warrant against her from the District Court on Baisakh 31. That case is still under review at the District Court, where she was released on a Rs 50,000 bail.

Mahar claims the woman filed a rape complaint against him only after he gave her Rs 1.5 million instead of the Rs 10 million she allegedly demanded. Based on his claims, police proceeded with the extortion case against the woman. Interestingly, both the woman’s rape complaint and Mahar’s extortion complaint were filed on the same day (Baisakh 25). However, police acted only on Mahar’s complaint, while largely ignoring the woman’s case.